The Answer to that Question has been debated for centuries!

If we are honest, the answer varies by the hour. For instance, I have been sick for the last week, and at this very moment, I am writing this in the middle of the night. I am an early riser, but this last week I have been a drug induced night owl. My answer at this minute to that question would be SLEEP!

Honestly, although I can not tell you that I have really enjoyed the graveyard shift, it has led me to some eye opening self introspection. I realized that one thing that  matters to me is that I want my efforts to actually count.

Lets face it, nobody wants to spend valuable time on things that have no value to anyone. Sure, doing laundry may feel like that at times, but that is not what I am talking about.

What I am referring to is spending efforts on a project that can make positive changes in someone’s life. Things like taking time to help stock your churches food pantry, helping a child living in poverty learn to read, helping a single mom learn skills to get a better job, you get the drift.

We all know that, but so few of us actually do it. We all lead busy lives, and finding time is a daily struggle. At the end of the day, many of us feel frustrated that although tasks have been accomplished, we don’t truly feel like we made a difference.

I have dreamed of the day when I could just go out and spend time helping others in a way that truly would make a difference in their lives. I bet you have too. I have a million excuses why I haven’t done that already.

During the long nights of the past week, I think I have come up with a solution to solve the problem. I just read a great ebook by Susan Scott, “Fashioning Your Best Year Ever”.

In her book, she has great suggestions for finding your priorities, setting them, and then implementing. One thing she said that struck me was:

If you aren’t committed to working toward your goals, someone will come along with the things they want you to do. They will have plenty of ideas of what you should be doing. However good those activities might be, if they don’t move you closer to the goals and dreams that are a part of your life purpose, they are not the best thing for you to be doing.

Too many times I have been guilty of letting others set my agenda to achieve their goals, and that has delegated the things that are important to me, to second place. My priorities are part of God’s plan for my life, I need to assist others with their goals, but not let their goals overshadow what I NEED to do in my life.

What am I going to do about it?

Set one priority of my OWN for each week.

Break my month into weeks, each with a small actionable list of goals that I can reasonably accomplish.

Set goals, large and small, and write them down

List what needs to be done to get to the goals

Discover where I get the information I need to develop whatever skill I need to meet that goal

So what are you going to do? Please share ideas and comments that will get all of us closer to doing things that matter.

My Father was a mechanic, who worked very hard to provide for his family. As a little girl, I remember his hands permanently stained from the grease of the motors he fixed daily. The hard work took quite a tole on his body, but he held fast to his motto “Work hard and pray”

He was a successful family and business man. He supported his church throughout his life with his time, talent and treasures. He trusted God, and worked faithfully for the church and all people. He always helped someone in need.

One of the keys to dads success was that he ran an ethical business, stood behind his work, and treated his customers like gold. He was a gifted mechanic, and used his gifts well. In return, God blessed him with success.

He had it figured out, and all we have to do is read Deuteronomy 28:12

“The LORD will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to
give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of
your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.

Thanks Dad, I will try and live up to your motto and Work Hard and Pray.

Wow, how can it be Thursday already!

I have struggled to blog constantly and I am working on that. Maybe in a future I will be able to report that I am winning the battle with consistency.You will notice it did not make the list this week though.

I love reading the other success stories, so I will share mine with you as well.

I struggle with technology,
and have been working on a
sales page for my website for quite awhile. It is finally done and up!

It is more than just the technology struggle though, it has been an internal struggle to go out and do the sales. You see, I have spent a lot of time on my knees praying about this business, and truly feel I need to do this, yet I guess it is Satan in action sitting on my shoulder and planting the seed of doubt in me.

Moms making money in this way, not only helps the mom stay at home, but helps the youth groups they work with be empowered to help others, both things the devil would love to prevent. I need to acknowledge what I am up against here.

My teenage son Daniel reluctantly recorded a video for me.

He  was embarrassed and felt like he was sort of bragging. Listening
to the video, and hearing his true feelings brought
tears to my eyes, and then opened them to what I have to do.
(To see the video, click on “How to Join ” in the top menu  and scroll down watch the video)

I joined a Faith Based Business group to help me focus on doing business in a faithful way.

All in all, it has been a week of positive forward movement. Thanks for reading this.

Understanding your passions is puzzling. Many people struggle with discovering our passions, yet it is what we most want and love to do. It will make the difference between working at a job or business that drains you, and one that absolutely energizes you.

Even more puzzling is the fact that most people ignore the fact that understanding what you were created to do is critical to your happiness. In the world of business and generating money, it is shoved to the bottom of the list of considerations.

This morning I watched a great video. I am including it  here for you to watch. It is a little long, but it emphasizes the reasons that understanding your passions is so important.  It is worth the investment of your time.

I will discuss this more tomorrow, see you then.